Fakenham Roofers installs and replaces exterior cladding for homeowners in East Dereham, and this page covers how to look after it properly once the work is done.
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Exterior cladding is the outer skin fixed to the walls of a building - boards or panels that protect the structure from rain and frost while giving the property a clean, finished appearance. We fit timber, UPVC and composite cladding on homes across East Dereham and the wider area. The installation involves stripping the old cladding if present, checking the wall and substrate beneath, fitting battens and a breather membrane where needed, and fixing new panels from the bottom up to ensure water runs clear at every joint.
The quality of the installation matters enormously, but so does what happens afterwards. A well-fitted run of composite or UPVC cladding can look good for twenty years or more with the right basic care. Neglected cladding of any material can deteriorate well within ten. The maintenance required varies by material, but none of it is complicated.
Timber is the highest-maintenance of the three main cladding materials. After installation, new timber cladding that has been factory-primed or pre-treated will need a topcoat applied within the period specified by the timber supplier - typically within a few weeks of installation, before the wood is exposed to prolonged wet weather. If this step is skipped, the primer coat will not last and the timber will begin to absorb moisture much sooner than it should.
After that first topcoat, the ongoing maintenance cycle for painted timber cladding is repainting every five to seven years. The exact interval depends on how much sun and rain the elevation gets. South-facing walls take the most UV punishment and will need attention sooner. The key is not to let the paint film crack and peel before you repaint - once water gets under cracked paint and into the grain, the rot process begins.
Between repaints, inspect the timber annually. Look for:
Catching these early and making a small repair - a dab of exterior filler, a touch of paint - takes minutes and prevents a much larger problem later.
UPVC cladding has a reputation for being maintenance-free, and compared to timber that is largely true. But it still needs attention to perform well over time. The main task is cleaning. UPVC surfaces collect algae, moss and general grime, particularly on north-facing elevations where sunlight does not dry the surface quickly. Left uncleaned, algae growth traps moisture at the joints between panels and at the base of the run, which can work its way behind the cladding over time.
Clean UPVC cladding once or twice a year with a soft brush and a mild detergent solution. Avoid high-pressure washers at full power directed at panel joints - they can force water behind the cladding and dislodge the trim pieces that seal the edges. A garden hose rinsing downwards from the top is perfectly adequate and much safer for the joints.
Also check the trims and flashings once a year. UPVC expands and contracts considerably with temperature changes, and the trim pieces that cap the top and sides of a cladding run can work slightly loose over time. If a trim has lifted or pulled away from the wall, it should be refixed before water finds its way behind it.
Composite cladding requires the least ongoing work of the three. The material does not rot, does not need painting, and holds its colour well. The main maintenance task is cleaning, for the same reason as UPVC: algae and moss grow on any outdoor surface in the English climate, and composite is no exception. An annual wash-down with soapy water and a soft brush keeps it looking good and prevents organic growth from finding a foothold at the joints.
One thing to check on composite annually is the expansion gaps at the ends of each board. Composite moves with temperature - it expands in summer heat and contracts in winter cold. If debris or paint drips have blocked the expansion gaps at the ends of boards, the panels can bow outward in summer. Clear any debris from these gaps as part of your annual inspection.
Whatever material your cladding is made from, a short annual inspection takes less than an hour and can save you a significant repair bill. Walk around the property in good daylight and look for the following:
None of these are emergencies on their own, but each one is worth acting on before the next winter. A loose panel, a failed sealant joint or a gap at a window trim will let water in during a period of driving rain, and once water is behind the cladding the damage happens slowly and silently until it becomes a much bigger job.
The most common point of failure on any cladding installation is the junction with another element - a window frame, a soffit board, a corner trim, or the base where the cladding ends above a DPC or above a flat roof. These junctions are sealed with a flexible sealant when the cladding is installed, but sealant has a finite lifespan. It shrinks and cracks over years of movement.
Sealant joints around windows and at corners should be checked every three to four years and replaced wherever they show cracking or have pulled away from one surface. This is a straightforward job with a tube of exterior-grade sealant and takes minutes per joint. Leaving a failed sealant joint unattended for several years is one of the most avoidable causes of water damage behind cladding.
After an extended period of strong winds or heavy rain, it is worth a quick visual check of the cladding. Look for any panels that have moved, any fixings that have worked loose at the base or top of the run, and any debris that has collected in the gap between the base of the cladding and the wall below. These checks take ten minutes and will tell you whether anything needs prompt attention before the next bout of weather arrives.
Basic cleaning and sealant replacement at low level are tasks most homeowners can handle safely. Anything that involves getting onto a ladder to reach cladding above the ground floor - refixing a panel, resealing a high junction, or investigating a suspected leak behind the cladding - should be left to someone with proper access equipment. Working at height on an unstable surface is the most common cause of serious injury on domestic building work, and it is not a job to improvise.
We fit and replace exterior cladding on homes across East Dereham. If you want an honest assessment of your existing cladding, or if you are ready to replace tired or damaged panels, call us and we will arrange a survey of your property and a written quote for the work.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
